News Article

Residents and fellows storm the State House

Residents and fellows from pediatric residency programs throughout the state joined in an effort to advocate for children during the annual Residents and Fellows Day at the Massachusetts State House (RFDASH) on June 20. The event, founded eight years ago by residents at MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC), was organized this year by pediatric residents Rachel Sagor, MD; Lily Maltz, MD; and Sylvia Romm, MD (pictured right, from left).

“RFDASH is a great opportunity for pediatricians in training to learn how to advocate for important children’s issues,” says James Perrin, MD, FAAP, former director of the MGHfC Division of General Pediatrics and president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who served as the event’s keynote speaker. “The energy and clinical experiences that medical students and residents bring to the legislature tremendously help enhance legislators’ understanding of child health issues.”

Since its inception the event has allowed residents and fellows to express their support for 23 bills. This year the group advocated for several gun safety bills, legislation establishing universal immunization and the creation of an immunization registry. The residents received lobbying and advocacy training from experts in the field, as well as briefings about the bills by area medical professionals, before meeting with representatives to discuss the bills.